Coyotes go for 2nd straight GWC Title; Yoerger Leading Team in Europe
When an old friend does something special, you can help but crack a smile and take an an active interest. So, I am.
That old friend is The University of South Dakota men's basketball team. In a season in which the Coyotes have struggled at times to play .500 basketball, they have surged at the end of the season, meriting attention. Since they were 12-13, the Coyotes have won 6-of-7 games, including a pair of heart-stopping games at the Great West Conference Tournament. USD, which has won four straight GWC games, will do battle at 7:30 p.m. central time with North Dakota for the GWC title.
In this battle of Dakotas, the Coyotes will have to win without the services of Charlie Westbrook, their first-team All-GWC guard/forward. However, they have won the first two games without Westbrook's services, sneaking past Chicago State, 73-70 in overtime and then taking a 72-70 win over top seed Utah Valley State. While their semifinal win included a few breaks and a little luck, they continue to win, moving to 18-14 on the season.
As the Coyotes look forward to a match up with their old NCC rival, North Dakota, they will try and end a two-game losing streak to the Sioux. North Dakota has controlled the action in both games, winning, 83-73 at the DakotaDome, and 75-62, at Grand Forks. In the last six games over three seasons, the teams have split the series, 3-3.
A year ago, USD was the top seed after going 11-1 in league play and 22-10 overall. The Coyotes rallied from a double-digit deficit in the semifinals to defeat Texas Pan-American, 76-71, and then defeated Houston Baptist, 91-86. Jake Thomas had 24 points in that final and 19 in the semifinals. The win gave USD a bid in the postseason CIT tourney. While they fell to Creighton, 89-78, it was the Coyotes' first-ever DI postseason appearance. A win tonight likely sends them again to the CIT tourney where they could be matched with another old rival, South Dakota State. However, the Coyotes have to win tonight and then see what happens.
Thomas Leading Offense
Jake Thomas has thrived in the Great West Conference tournament by scoring 84 points in four games. Thomas, who was the tourney's MVP a year ago, scored 20 points in the 2011 quarterfinal win, and then added 21, including four threes, in the semifinal victory over Utah Valley State. If USD wins again, Thomas might against take home MVP honors. His running mate, Kendall Cutler, has scored 64 points in those four tournament games and had 21 points against Chicago State earlier this week. He supplied nine points, six assists and six rebounds to help USD to the win against Utah Valley State. Louie Krogman, who was held scoreless in the first half against Utah Valley State, broke through with 12 points in the second half. Krogman's points proved valuable to the Coyotes; just like in the finals a year ago when he had 13 points in the final, including five in the final two minutes.
Is 70 the right number?
In each of the Coyotes' wins the past two nights, they have limited opponents to 70 points. So, is that the right number for another win? Might be as long as USD scores at least 71 as they have in two heart-stopping wins earlier in the GWC Tournament.
Boots Keeps Piling Up Wins
With his team's victory on Friday night against top seed, South Dakota reached 18 wins for the 22nd season during the coaching tenure of Dave Boots. At 18-14, the Coyotes have recorded their 23rd straight winning season, all directed by Boots. In addition, a victory tonight gives USD its 19th win for the 21st time under Boots. He also has led the Coyotes to seven straight 20-win seasons (16 overall) and with a win tonight and a win at the CIT tourney (if USD gets a bid), he would reach that level for the eight consecutive year.
Game on TV
Coyote fans can catch the game live on Fox Sports Atlantic which is channel 317 on the Midcontinent system. Or interested fans can go to the USD website, which has audio and video links to the game. http://http//www.usdcoyotes.com/sports/mbball/release.asp?release_id=6289
Yoerger Shining for Dutch Team
Besides the Coyote men's team, another old friend is shining. Former South Dakota women's basketball standout Bridget Yoerger is continuing a successful European basketball career with Wereldtickets, which has reached the finals of the 2011 Eredivisie playoffs. In the first game of the championship series, Yoerger had 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals to help her team defeat Binnenland, 85-60. Yoerger hit 6-8 free throws and also connected on a three-point basket. Wereldtickets won again today for a 2-0 series lead but the score was unable at this posting. They play again on Tuesday on their home floor. During the regular season, Yoerger led her team to an 11-7 record and has been a keep contributor as her team has gotten hot in the playoffs. She averaged 17.4 points during the regular season, which was fourth in the league. For more about the playoffs, go to http://www.eurobasket.com/Holland/basketball.asp?NewsID=220223&Women=1
That old friend is The University of South Dakota men's basketball team. In a season in which the Coyotes have struggled at times to play .500 basketball, they have surged at the end of the season, meriting attention. Since they were 12-13, the Coyotes have won 6-of-7 games, including a pair of heart-stopping games at the Great West Conference Tournament. USD, which has won four straight GWC games, will do battle at 7:30 p.m. central time with North Dakota for the GWC title.
In this battle of Dakotas, the Coyotes will have to win without the services of Charlie Westbrook, their first-team All-GWC guard/forward. However, they have won the first two games without Westbrook's services, sneaking past Chicago State, 73-70 in overtime and then taking a 72-70 win over top seed Utah Valley State. While their semifinal win included a few breaks and a little luck, they continue to win, moving to 18-14 on the season.
As the Coyotes look forward to a match up with their old NCC rival, North Dakota, they will try and end a two-game losing streak to the Sioux. North Dakota has controlled the action in both games, winning, 83-73 at the DakotaDome, and 75-62, at Grand Forks. In the last six games over three seasons, the teams have split the series, 3-3.
A year ago, USD was the top seed after going 11-1 in league play and 22-10 overall. The Coyotes rallied from a double-digit deficit in the semifinals to defeat Texas Pan-American, 76-71, and then defeated Houston Baptist, 91-86. Jake Thomas had 24 points in that final and 19 in the semifinals. The win gave USD a bid in the postseason CIT tourney. While they fell to Creighton, 89-78, it was the Coyotes' first-ever DI postseason appearance. A win tonight likely sends them again to the CIT tourney where they could be matched with another old rival, South Dakota State. However, the Coyotes have to win tonight and then see what happens.
Thomas Leading Offense
Jake Thomas has thrived in the Great West Conference tournament by scoring 84 points in four games. Thomas, who was the tourney's MVP a year ago, scored 20 points in the 2011 quarterfinal win, and then added 21, including four threes, in the semifinal victory over Utah Valley State. If USD wins again, Thomas might against take home MVP honors. His running mate, Kendall Cutler, has scored 64 points in those four tournament games and had 21 points against Chicago State earlier this week. He supplied nine points, six assists and six rebounds to help USD to the win against Utah Valley State. Louie Krogman, who was held scoreless in the first half against Utah Valley State, broke through with 12 points in the second half. Krogman's points proved valuable to the Coyotes; just like in the finals a year ago when he had 13 points in the final, including five in the final two minutes.
Is 70 the right number?
In each of the Coyotes' wins the past two nights, they have limited opponents to 70 points. So, is that the right number for another win? Might be as long as USD scores at least 71 as they have in two heart-stopping wins earlier in the GWC Tournament.
Boots Keeps Piling Up Wins
With his team's victory on Friday night against top seed, South Dakota reached 18 wins for the 22nd season during the coaching tenure of Dave Boots. At 18-14, the Coyotes have recorded their 23rd straight winning season, all directed by Boots. In addition, a victory tonight gives USD its 19th win for the 21st time under Boots. He also has led the Coyotes to seven straight 20-win seasons (16 overall) and with a win tonight and a win at the CIT tourney (if USD gets a bid), he would reach that level for the eight consecutive year.
Game on TV
Coyote fans can catch the game live on Fox Sports Atlantic which is channel 317 on the Midcontinent system. Or interested fans can go to the USD website, which has audio and video links to the game. http://http//www.usdcoyotes.com/sports/mbball/release.asp?release_id=6289
Yoerger Shining for Dutch Team
Besides the Coyote men's team, another old friend is shining. Former South Dakota women's basketball standout Bridget Yoerger is continuing a successful European basketball career with Wereldtickets, which has reached the finals of the 2011 Eredivisie playoffs. In the first game of the championship series, Yoerger had 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals to help her team defeat Binnenland, 85-60. Yoerger hit 6-8 free throws and also connected on a three-point basket. Wereldtickets won again today for a 2-0 series lead but the score was unable at this posting. They play again on Tuesday on their home floor. During the regular season, Yoerger led her team to an 11-7 record and has been a keep contributor as her team has gotten hot in the playoffs. She averaged 17.4 points during the regular season, which was fourth in the league. For more about the playoffs, go to http://www.eurobasket.com/Holland/basketball.asp?NewsID=220223&Women=1
Comments
Post a Comment